Films at the Schomburg: ALTHEA

Tuesday, August 25, 2015 from 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM (EDT)

Ticket Information

Event Details

A Special Preview - Discover the story of Althea Gibson (1927-2003), a truant from Harlem, who emerged as the unlikely queen of the highly segregated tennis world in the 1950s. Bringing a fierce athleticism to the game, she was the first African American to play and win at Wimbledon and the U.S. Nationals. Gibson’s life and achievements transcend sports, and are part of African-American history. The documentary explores Gibson’s roots as a sharecropper’s daughter, her family’s migration north to Harlem in the 1930s, and her mentors boxer Sugar Ray Robinson, former New York City Mayor David Dinkins and others. Interviewees include Dinkins, Wimbledon champion Dick Savitt and Billie Jean King, who also serves as one of the film’s executive producers. Althea was produced and directed by Rex Miller.

A talk back will follow the film preview with the following guest speakers:Leslie Allen, Former ATA, NCAA & WTA ChampionDavid N. Dinkins, 106th Mayor, City of New YorkArt Carrington, former American Tennis Association National Champion, longtime friend of Althea Gibson, & tennis historianRex Miller, Director/Producer

American Masters: Althea premieres on THIRTEEN and on PBS stations nationwide Friday, September 4, 9:00 - 10:30 p.m. (check local listings) during the U.S. Open

@SchomburgLive | #ALTHEAPBS

photo credit: Corbis

FIRST COME, FIRST SEATEDFor all free events, we generally overbook to ensure a full house. All registered seats are released 15 to 30 minutes before start time, so we recommend that you arrive early.

PRESSPlease send all press inquiries (photo, video, interviews, audio-recording, etc) at least 24-hours before the day of the program to Adenike Olanreqaju at adenikeolanrewaju@nypl.org.

Tuesday, August 25, 2015 from 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM (EDT)

Organizer

Founded in 1925 and named a National Historic Landmark in 2017, the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture is one of the world's leading cultural institutions devoted to the research, preservation, and exhibition of materials focused on African American, African Diaspora, and African experiences. From the original 10,000 items provided by Arturo Alfonso Schomburg to the over 10 million items in the collection today, the Schomburg Center features diverse progamming and lifelong education and exploration that illuminate the richness of global black history, arts and culture.